UNH Graduate School

Wildcats, we're over the moon to announce our 2025 commencement speaker — Lt. Col. Scott "Kidd" Poteet '96! ?? This Durham native and proud UNH alum made history as part of the first Polaris Dawn mission, completing the first commercial spacewalk and achieving the highest altitude of any human spaceflight mission since the Apollo program. From flying with the Thunderbirds to conducting the first commercial spacewalk, Scott's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. "UNH taught me to embrace challenges," says Poteet, who discovered his love of flying through UNH's Air Force ROTC program. We can't wait to welcome this stellar Wildcat back to campus to inspire our Class of 2025! ????

?? Congratulations to the 2025 Three Minute Thesis winners! ?? ?? 1st Place & People's Choice Award: Mamta Kajal, PhD, Agricultural Sciences ?? 2nd Place: Kailey Paar, PhD, Microbiology ?? 3rd Place: Sebastian Rowan, PhD, Civil & Environmental Engineering Fantastic work by all participants! University of New Hampshire Research

The 10th Anniversary of UNH's Three Minute Thesis has officially started. Good luck to all graduate presenters!

Watch Kailey Paar and other talented students present their research during tonight’s 3MT Final Round from 3-5 p.m. in MUB Theater II. ???? Join us in person or stream it live: https://lnkd.in/eZedqhTq University of New Hampshire Research

Mark your calendars for the Three Minute Thesis Final Round on March 26 from 3-5 p.m. in MUB Theater II, where our talented graduate students will explain their complex research in just 180 seconds! ???? Come support these Wildcats as they condense years of work into three-minute presentations using just one slide. The research will be presented in a format anyone can understand — no specialized knowledge required! Who will take home the competition's top prize and advance to the regional competition? Stop by to find out! More event details: https://lnkd.in/eXvif_8Y University of New Hampshire Research

Building confidence, fostering resilience and sparking transformation - all while balancing on a platform in the woods. ?? Course spotlight: Facilitation and Processing the Experience As part of UNH's Dual Masters Degree in Social Work and Recreation Management, this course for graduate students combines adventure-based experiences with trauma-informed therapeutic practices. Through hands-on activities at UNH's Browne Center for Innovative Learning, students develop skills to promote health and well-being in their future clients. On this particular day, students tackled the Balance Boat, a low challenge course element that required the entire group to balance on a platform while creating a chain of their written course goals. The exercise went beyond physical coordination — it sparked meaningful discussions about finding balance in graduate school and the importance of group support in achieving individual goals. The course transforms throughout the semester as students progress from participants to leaders. While the first half is guided by Anita Tucker, professor of social work, students later take turns facilitating weekly sessions and gaining valuable feedback from peers. Activities range from problem-solving initiatives to high elements on the challenge course, with a strong focus on nature-based experiences like mindfulness exercises and construction using natural materials. These practical opportunities prepare students to assess group dynamics, manage challenging situations and empower participants in therapy or adventure programs. The skills transfer seamlessly to any profession involving group work or leadership. The course welcomes graduate students from various disciplines — from social work and therapeutic recreation to education and family studies — creating a diverse learning community where, as students often report, "magic happens" through shared experiences and lasting relationships. UNH College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)

?? Calling all UNH graduate students! It's time to register for the 2025 Graduate Research Conference. At this annual showcase, grad students from all academic disciplines present their research on campus over the course of two days. Don't miss this opportunity to show off your work to the UNH community! Present your research through either oral presentations or poster sessions at this dynamic two-day event. But hurry — registration closes March 31! Register now: https://lnkd.in/enfaPD_T UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture UNH College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics

Last week, our grad students gathered for the 11th annual Moorhead Writing Academy, where they nurtured their writing, minds, and bodies with yoga, healthy eating tips, and great conversation!

?? We're equally proud of the hard work that went into earning the grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities!

From Durham, NH, to every corner of the world, #WildcatsRoam! ? ?? This week, Wildcats are in Ireland, exploring healing and reconciliation in Belfast and Dublin. At the Wave Trauma Center, they heard powerful stories. "His wife was killed, but he wasn't resentful," shares Mikayla Tobin '26. "He just wanted to create a safe space for others to heal." ? For many, this is their first international experience, made possible by scholarships from retired UNH professors. With professor Trish Cox's guidance, students are connecting Irish and U.S. social welfare systems, proving that compassion transcends borders. ??